KD Hurt In Nets Win, Knicks Hold Off Hawks

Randle Solid in Win Over Atlanta

Photo: Special to the NY Beacon

By Andrew Rosario

 

The Brooklyn Nets had a lot to worry about after taking out the New Orlean Pelicans last night 120-105 at Barclays Center. They were cruising along with a comfortable lead when a hush came over the crowd as they saw Kevin Durant limp to the bench never to return to the game. With 5:38 left in the second quarter and Brooklyn up 52-27, Pelicans forward Herbert Jones drove down the lane crashing into Nets guard Bruce Brown who fell backwards into Durant’s left knee. As play came to a halt, KD walked to the bench sat down for a minute before retreating to the locker-room. Durant was scheduled for an MRI to see the extent of the injury. Prior to him leaving he scored 12 points.

 

After the Pelicans Devonte’ Graham jump shot tied the game at 2, the Nets never looked back finishing the first quarter with a 10-point lead (32-22) as Durant scored 11 points. Brooklyn then blew the game open in the second quarter as they outscored New Orleans 37-19. James Harden paced the team with 27 points and 15 rebounds. Patty Mills chipped in 21 points as all 5 starters scored in double figures. All the talk after was about Durant hoping the injury would not keep him out for a long period.

 

 

 

 

“Of course it would be tough to lose him,” said second year head coach Steve Nash. “No one wants to see that. We’ll obviously hope for the best outcome, but regardless of the outcome, we have to continue to work, build and grow and get better and compete.” A concerned Harden added,

 

“It’s difficult to see one of our leaders take an injury like that. So hopefully, it’s not too bad. Hopefully, he’s able to be on the court on Monday.”

 

 

 

 

The Next four games are on the road as they travel to Cleveland, Washington, San Antonio and Minnesota. They return home January 25th to play LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Prior to the win against New Orleans, Brooklyn had been struggling at home losing 5 of their previous 6 games.

All last season, the New York Knicks felt very good about themselves going into the playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks. Forward Julius Randle won Sixth Man of the Year Award as the team made the playoffs for the first time since 2013. The Knicks came crashing down to earth quickly when they were eliminated in the first round against Atlanta as Randle was a shell off himself. Last night, they faced each other for the last time in the regular season as the Hawks were looking to get their first win against New York who beat them in the two previous meetings. Last night, RJ Barrett (26 points, 8-10 free throws) and Randle (24 points) combined for 50 in the 117-108 win sweeping the 3-game series. All 5 Knicks starters scored in double figures.

New York had a comfortable lead at the half (65-51) but Atlanta would not make it easy in the second half. Atlanta outscored the Knicks 26-20 in the third but still trailed 85-77 going into the final quarter. The Hawks came out on fire to start the 4th outscoring the Knicks 16-6 getting with 2 (93-91) after a Lou Williams 3-pointer sent the home crowd in a frenzy. New York composed themselves as Evan Fournier (18 points) drains consecutive jumpers to extend the lead to 97-91. Atlanta would get no closer than 3 (103-100) after a Trae Young basket as the Knicks finished the last 3:37 on a 14-8 run.

Barrett talked about Randle’s night. “It’s great to see him have a monster game like that.” Second year head coach Tom Thibodeau said, “I thought Julius made great reads all game long and that got us going.” Tibbs also recognized Barrett. “You can’t say enough about the way RJ is playing also.”

The Knicks play their annual Martin Luther King, Jr game Monday afternoon against Charlotte before hosting Minnesota Tuesday night.